







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Yes, that's a good idea. | |
| Not long, my lessons start at 12:30. | |
| How old do I look? | |
| Come on, don't cry, she is just a stupid girl! | |
| I hope she is not a problematic one, then... | |
| The rice section is over there. | |
| Yeah, I've got it! | |
| I like girls' nights out. | |
| Yes sir, you can have a seat at this table. | |
| I'm really sorry about that! | |
| I see them around a lot where I work, actually. | |
| Yeah, and the market is good, is Camden Lock in zone-2 or 3? | |
| I'm sorry to say there is nothing very exciting. | |
| Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | |
| Thank you, dear... For helping me to be a liar! | |
| How often do you have free time, then? | |
| Hello dear, how is it going, do you need any help? | |
| Yes, there are some knives, too. | |
| I don't like violence in real life, I only like it in movies. | |
| Except mosquitoes because they ruin my sleep. | |